Hull Cityfinally called time on their long wait for an away victory as Fraizer Campbell’s predatory finish claimed an ugly 1-0 win over Barnsley.

A dismal Yorkshire derby appeared destined for a goalless stalemate as two rivals cancelled one another out for long periods at a windswept Oakwell, but the Tigers were eventually able to snatch all three points with 12 minutes remaining.

Jackson Irvine’s initial header from a left-wing corner was saved on the line but substitute Campbell was the quickest of all to react, firing home the loose ball in front of the 2,237 jubilant away fans.

A first clean sheet since August capped a classic smash and grab for Leonid Slutsky’s side and ensured the Tigers could toast an away victory in the league that eluded them for 427 days. Three points also lifted City up to 14 and, perhaps tellingly, closer to the Championship’s top six than the bottom three.

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Slutsky’s first taste of a Yorkshire derby brought few surprises in his team selection. Kevin Stewart replaced the suspended David Meyler to make his first start since August, but it was otherwise the same XI that had come so agonisingly close to a victory at Norwich seven days earlier.

City had been hard-working and diligent at Carrow Road but the standards set in Norfolk were not hit through much of a lethargic and disjointed opening half at Oakwell.

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Although Barnsley played their part in an error-strewn spectacle played in blustery conditions, the home team consistently played with the greater intensity. Harvey Barnes’ cross brought the first chance of note as Adam Hammill attempted to flick the ball goal-bound. Tom Bradhsaw lurked at the back post but Max Clark’s timely clearance snuffed out the danger.

Bradshaw sent a header wide from Hammill’s cross and Cameron McGeehan fizzed a shot just over the crossbar at the end of a promising break for the hosts, but there was scant quality on show from either side. The two goalkeepers, Allan McGregor and Adam Davies, got through the entire first half without making a single save of note.

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City’s attack had been particularly ineffective. Markus Henriksen and Kamil Grosicki both played on the periphery of the contest, while Dicko was given no ammunition. Only Jarrod Bowen caused Barnsley any sort of problems but his most promising run into the penalty area ended with a tame cross collected easily by Davies.

The visitors’ only comfort at half-time was that such a limp performance had not been punished but Barnsley continued to ask all the questions into the second period.

Hammill’s deflected strike from 20 yards out was narrowly wide before Liam Lindsey was picked out by McGeehan inside a crowded box to test McGregor for the first time. Ike Ugbo also went close when attempting to pick out the far top corner and all while City struggled to find improvements.

Slutsky had little choice but to make changes and shook things up just after the hour mark. Campbell and Jackson Irvine replaced the ineffective Dicko and Grosicki and though it took, that was the combination that finally delivered for the Tigers 12 minutes from time.

A left wing-corner from Bowen was flicked on Irvine but even though Lindsay was able to clear off the line, Campbell was the quickest to react when forcing home the rebound from six yards out. The travelling supporters who had chanted “We only want one shot” just minutes earlier had their wish granted in dramatic style.

There was still time for Barnsley to threaten an equaliser as Bradshaw was unable to bundle in from a goalmouth scramble, while McGregor also denied Ryan Hedges’ sweetly-struck volley with his feet. Unlike Reading and Norwich, though, there was no equaliser this time. The long and painful wait for success outside of East Yorkshire was finally over.